The Garba Dance also termed as Garaba refers to an Indian dance mostly performed during special occasions as well as festivals in Gujarat India. The word Garba was historically derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha which translates to “womb” and Deep which generally refers to “light inside a pot”; hence, the womb lamp (Garba). The joyful dance is not only a religious but also a social event that dates back to India’s ancient Gujarat village traditions, traditionally, the dance is usually performed during Hindu’s nine-day festival; Navarātrī.
Most of the traditional Garba dances are performed particularly by women around a centrally lit lamp; placed inside a pot, or rather a statue or picture of Goddess Shakti. The Durga also termed as Amba is also placed in the middle of the established concentric rights as a veneration object. The dancers then move around the objects in circles while making what can be termed as circular movements with both their hands and feet; however, Garba dancing styles tend to vary from one place to another in Gujarat and India a whole (Garba). During the dance, the Garba songs typically revolve around the Hindu’s nine goddesses or Lord Krishna’s subjects. This paper critically analyses the Garba dance through 5 epistemological lenses which include the historical, religious, social, aesthetic and kinesthetic lenses.
Historical Lens:
Although men occasionally participate in the Gabra dance, this traditional dance is regarded as one of the meaningful gender-based dances that honor womanhood as well as women’s ability for creation. The dance is marked by two primary objects, thus the pot representing the womb which implies pregnancy or rather gestation, and the “lantern” used for the purpose of depicting life thereby, representing the fetus in a woman’s womb (Garba). Moreover, the light acts as a symbol of external power which is present in all women as well as their ability to create life. Therefore, the pot and the lantern acts as a historical reminder that the Gabra dance celebrates the feminine element. In Gujarat, the Gabra dance also historically marks a woman’s first menstrual cycle as well as her imminent marriage. For generations, it has been believed that the Gabra dance has the power to retract as well as invoke childbearing ability.
Religious Lens
The Gabra Dance tends to have a strong religious grounding as it is mainly performed during the religious Hindu festival Navarātrī, which is observed in India to honor the divine feminine Durga or Devi. In some instances, the dance is also performed around a statue or a centrally placed picture of goddess Shakti, as a result, the dance depicts religious belief of the goddess being constant amidst the infinite and unending movement (Why Do Garba). Therefore, to a great extent, the dance symbolizes the fact that God; presented in the feminine form, unlike other things, remains constant in the ever-changing universe.
Another religious symbolic interpretation of the Garbha Deep; used during the Gabra dance, is that itself is a symbol of the body that possesses divinity, thus in goddess form. Hence, the dance is performed around the symbol in order to honor the fact that all human beings possess the divine energy of Devi within. The dance also entails the veneration of the goddess Durga, according to the Hindu culture, worshipping of the goddess in this form results in blessing for the devotees in form of children that are not only strong but also intelligent (Why Do Garba). Therefore, the dance acts as a way to venerate the goddess of fertility in order to acquire blessings in the form of children.
Social lens
The Gabra dance clearly defines social roles in the Indian communities. Although men in some instances participate in the dance, the Gabra dance is mainly centered on women as it primarily focuses on their role in childbearing. Another social role of the dance is based on the fact that it brings people from different backgrounds together; where they dance together, regardless of their social classes.
Aesthetic Lens
Movement style
The Garba dance has a circulatory movement and takes a spiral form whereby the performers form rings and revolve in circles. The circular movement of the Garba dance around the earthen pot containing a lantern is symbolic as it represents the Hindu cycle of life which consists of birth, life, death and again to rebirth. The dancers performing the Garba dance move in sideways synchronized motions swaying their arms gracefully in the air while making fast steps behind another dancer. The movement and style of the Garba dance are influenced by different regional groups around the Gujarat state and every movement ends with applause. During the initial period of the dance, the performers dance at a slower tone and the pace gradually hastens as the dance goes on (Beauty Spots of India). As part of the entertainment during the Garba dance, some dancers balance the lanterns on their heads.
Clothing and Body Decorations
The Garba dancers usually put on colorful red, pink yellow and orange attire whereby the female dancers have three-piece dresses with a colorfully embroidered blouse called Chaniya Choli. The Chaniya Choli have additional decorations apart from being colorful like beads, shells, mirrors, and stars among many other decorations (Pushapajali). The women also put on large earrings known as Jhumkas, necklaces, Chudas. On the other hand, men wear colorful turbans, short coats, Ghara, Pagadi, Dupatta, and Mojiris.
Makeup
Since the Garba dance requires brightly colored dressing, there is need to have perfect makeup to match the attire. Women use eye and face primer to prevent the sweat while dancing from fading away and also they put on eye makeup such as eye shadows and mascara to match the attires chosen. The women can also use contour and highlight makeups to create a balanced makeup color and finally lipstick (Madhubani).
Type of Music
Music is very crucial in the Garba dance as the sounds give rhythm to the dancers and improve the overall mood at the venue. The musical instruments used during the Garba dance are such as dhol, Nal, and harmoniums. The Garba music used for the Garba dances usually revolves around the nine goddesses, mother goddess Amba or Lord Krishna honoring and praising them. The music used for the Garba dance is live as there is usually a drummer or dholi who beats drums to keep the music rhythm. Some of the instruments played during the Garba dance are such as Damru, Ektaro, Jantar, Nagara, Turi, Pavo and Ravan hattho
(Pushapajali). The Garba dancers use their bodies to create a rhythm as they move their bodies sideways and sway their arms in a synchronized manner with the song rhythm. The dancers also clap their hands and sing in unison as they go around the lantern.
Objects Carried During Dance
In some Garba dances, the women place the pot with the lantern on their heads and proceed to dance in a circular motion while singing and clapping (Pushapajali). However, others place the pot centrally onto of a stool and begin dancing around it.
Kinesthetic Lens
Conclusively, through engaging in the Garba dance one is able to deeply understand the culture of the Gujarat people who are from the Western Indian part. One will be able to understand the dancing techniques used during the Garba dance as they are repetitions of basic steps. Also, while attending any of the Garba dances one will get to understand the different fashions and modes of dressing of the Hindus as well as their numerous accessories. When an individual attends one of the Garba dances they would realize that the people are welcoming and ready to pass on their culture to various people as they will be allowed to take part in the Garba dance (Kuruvilla). By physically engaging in a Garba dance, a person will realize that the series of coordinated and synchronized steps and body movements can be exhausting leading to burning of calories in the body (Nalawadel). In other words, Garba dancing is a form of aerobic exercising which can be used for weight management.
Works Cited
Beauty Spots of India. “Garba Dance of Gujarat” 2014. Retrieved from: http://beautyspotsofindia.com/garba-dance-of-gujarat/. Accessed (25th January, 2018).
“Garba”. Encyclopedia Britannica, (2018). https://www.britannica.com/topic/garba. Accessed (25th January, 2018).
Kuruvilla, Carol. “5 Reasons Why You Should Go To A Garba Raas Dance During The Hindu Holiday Of Navratri” HuffPost. 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/27/garba-dance-navratri_n_5885188.html Accessed (25th January, 2018).
Madhubani. “How To Do Makeup For Garba Night.” Wiseshe. 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.wiseshe.com/2015/10/how-to-do-makeup-for-garba-night.html.. Accessed (25th
January, 2018).
Nalawadel, Shalaka. “Your Garba Steps Can Help You Burn Calories.” E Times. 2015. Retrieved from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/weight-loss/Your-garba-steps-can-help-you-burn-calories/articleshow/49441094.cms Accessed (25th January, 2018).
Pushapajali. “Garba Folk Dance of Gujarat. Retrieved from: http://www.indianfolkdances.com/garba-folk-dances-of-gujarat.html. Accessed (25th January, 2018).
“Why do ‘Garba’?”. National Hindu Student’s Forum, (2014). https://www.nhsf.org.uk/2014/09/why-do-garba/. Accessed (25th January, 2018).
